One of the things from the travel writer workshop that has really struck a chord is the need to always have a camera. A camera provides a great way to take visual "notes" of our experiences, which can be used to refresh your memories of the sounds, smells, and other visceral senses of the scene. I have located some shots from my last trip to Paris, in August of 2010, that depict some of the sights and experiences I really enjoyed. These shots exhibit the inspiration for the lead paragraph I developed as part of the workshop.
This image was from the rickety, uneven stairwell of the 2 star hotel I stayed in. The hotel was undergoing renovations and had just installed a state-of-the-art elevator. Had I not decided to venture down the old stairwell, I never would have saw this scene. Luckily for me, a travel companion was staying a floor below me. It was easier to pop down the stairs, instead of waiting for the elevator. This just proves you never know what beauty might be hidden away, off the well beaten path.
This scene is of the RER track just outside my hotel. I stayed a short 5 minute walk away from the Eiffel Tower in the La Motte-Picquet area, away from the traditional throngs of tourists. The area was alive with locals, with several cafes and a grocery market nearby. On Sunday, the area beneath the tracks turned into an open air marketplace. Even though I will not be staying in this hotel for my next trip, I do plan on returning to visit the market.
Here I am enjoying a hoppy, French beer in a Parisian cafe in Pigalle. I loved how bitter and crisp the beer was after a long day walking the streets of Paris. This felt like a perfect reward and it went down well with a bowl of la soupe à l'oignon (i.e., onion soup). The cafe was crowded with tourists and locales, but everyone seem to enjoy the atmosphere as much as I did. I cannot wait to share this experience with my wife this August.
Surely this picture needs no introduction, the grande dame of Paris, herself. Unfortunately, I was unable to go inside. But next time I would like to climb the tower for what I have been told is a wonderful view of the city. The history of this place is amazing when you stop to consider that the origins of Paris are in this very spot. My next trip will have more focus on spending time exploring the Ile-de-Cite and the surrounding St Michel.
This final image was taken while walking from Notre Dame back to my hotel in La Motte-Picquet. It was just after the hourly light spectacle along the face of the tower. While the Eiffel Tower was not initially welcomed by Parisians, it has come to symbolize their city as an enduring monument and testament to human engineering. Something I very much respect.
This image was from the rickety, uneven stairwell of the 2 star hotel I stayed in. The hotel was undergoing renovations and had just installed a state-of-the-art elevator. Had I not decided to venture down the old stairwell, I never would have saw this scene. Luckily for me, a travel companion was staying a floor below me. It was easier to pop down the stairs, instead of waiting for the elevator. This just proves you never know what beauty might be hidden away, off the well beaten path.
This scene is of the RER track just outside my hotel. I stayed a short 5 minute walk away from the Eiffel Tower in the La Motte-Picquet area, away from the traditional throngs of tourists. The area was alive with locals, with several cafes and a grocery market nearby. On Sunday, the area beneath the tracks turned into an open air marketplace. Even though I will not be staying in this hotel for my next trip, I do plan on returning to visit the market.
Here I am enjoying a hoppy, French beer in a Parisian cafe in Pigalle. I loved how bitter and crisp the beer was after a long day walking the streets of Paris. This felt like a perfect reward and it went down well with a bowl of la soupe à l'oignon (i.e., onion soup). The cafe was crowded with tourists and locales, but everyone seem to enjoy the atmosphere as much as I did. I cannot wait to share this experience with my wife this August.
Surely this picture needs no introduction, the grande dame of Paris, herself. Unfortunately, I was unable to go inside. But next time I would like to climb the tower for what I have been told is a wonderful view of the city. The history of this place is amazing when you stop to consider that the origins of Paris are in this very spot. My next trip will have more focus on spending time exploring the Ile-de-Cite and the surrounding St Michel.
This final image was taken while walking from Notre Dame back to my hotel in La Motte-Picquet. It was just after the hourly light spectacle along the face of the tower. While the Eiffel Tower was not initially welcomed by Parisians, it has come to symbolize their city as an enduring monument and testament to human engineering. Something I very much respect.
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